Using linear perspective in your photo composition would add depth and impression of shape, structure or sense of distance. The photography basics of using perspective will help to enhance your photograph. What you see in the picture is only a two dimensional representation of a three dimensional world. Thus by inclusion of perspective in your photography composition, you create a more dynamic scene in your picture.
Linear perspective occurs when parallel lines appear to converge as they move into the distance; a strong sense of depth is created. It is used to draw the viewer’s eye into the scene.
Understanding how perspective works would help you to look out for scenes that you would normally miss out. There are several ways of looking at perspective. Sometimes you would combine a few perspective viewpoints to create a much greater depth in your photo.
Perspective is used quite frequently in landscape photography and the need to impart a sense of three dimensionality in a two dimensional picture will create a strong landscape photo. In order to create a sense of depth, you need to find the lines to impart a feeling of distance. Converging lines like roads creates diagonal lines in your picture creates depth in your picture. It is not difficult to look out for perspective, they are everywhere! Objects that are nearer would look bigger while those that are further, smaller. And the further away they are, the smaller the objects become. By combining several objects and elements of perspective in your photo composition, you can create a strong image that has very good feeling of depth.
You could exaggerate the lines of convergence in your linear perspective by using a wide angle lens to emphasize objects that near. This would also distort your image as the nearer object at the edge of the frame would curve due to the lens distortion. This may not be a bad thing as it could give an interesting effect to your overall picture at the same time emphasize what is near and far.
However not all pictures require perspective. Sometimes a flat image would be better suited to abstract photograph where the emphasis is on pattern, shapes or colours.
Here we explore some of the different kind of perspective and viewpoints.